We are staying in the Premier Inn Docklands hotel so it is convenient for coming off the ferry
We join the Grand Canal for 36km to leave Dublin behind and then cycle south to Kildare
Only one hill today after Athy, and that is just 256m high, then a descent towards Kilkenny where we stay for 2 nights
You might like a short morning cycle to visit the Dunmore Caves and have the afternoon to tour round Kilkenny with its Castle gardens, museums and shops.
A longer day of cycling today as we continue further along the coast to Youghal and stay for 2 nights.
Cycling inland and north around the River Blackwater, we visit Lismore
We leave Youghal following the coast and cycle westwards. As we approach Cork we turn south on to Great Island and then into Cork. You might be suspicious at the lengths that I go to include a ferry trip on a tour. The city is at the centre of a massive collection of waterways.
With a population of 225k Cork is a relatively small city, but still big enough that you will be spoiled for choice as to what to do
Kinsale is very popular with tourists and has many restaurants to choose from.
You might also like to visit the Lusitania Museum. Do bring your swimming stuff if you fancy a dip at the Garretstown beach.
Do consider a short detour towards the end of the day (at 66km) to visit the Gurranes Stone Row near Castletownhend
There are castle towers at Kilcoe, and Leamcon as well as a nice swimming spot at Trawnaberry, but we might not have time to stop for long.
At 59km consider turning left for a 5km round trip to the Castlenalacht Standing Stones
Rather than cycle all the way back we load our bikes on to the van (because the train only takes 3) and carry our luggage on to the train. Meeting the van at the station to grab our bikes.
We have breakfast together and then folk start their journeys home
Land Only - £2450
A deposit of £400 per person is payable upon booking, with the final balance of £2,050 per person to be paid by 231st March 2027
Written Notice Received:
Cancellation Charge:
by 31/03/2027
Deposit of £400
after 31/03/2027
Full cost of tour £2,450
Please complete the booking form. The tour organiser will reply confirming if there is availability, and asking you to transfer the deposit into the Trust account. Shortly after that you will receive confirmation of your booking
The price of £2450 (land only) is based on a minimum number of 10 people taking part in the holiday. If there are insufficient bookings by Wednesday 31st March 2027, we will contact you and return all monies paid.
The tour starts and finishes in Dublin (staying in the same hotel). We travel out of Dublin along the Grand Canal. Thereafter we head to Kildare, Kilkenny, Youghal, Cork, Kinsale, Skibbereen, Cork and Dublin. We spend 2 nights in all locations except Dublin, Kildare and the second visit to Cork. The route is mainly on roads (usually minor roads) and some cycle paths. There will be a few opportunities to swim.
Travel to the start and from the finish is not included in this holiday. Thus, it is very important that you note that neither your Tour Organiser nor Bikexplore are responsible for you in any way until the appointed time at the designated meeting point.
Potentially a tour may be cancelled (e.g. if it does not attract the minimum numbers) so please do not commit to any travel arrangements until you have received confirmation that the tour will go ahead. In the event of cancellation Bikexplore will only be responsible for refunding you the cost of the tour itself.
Prior to the tour communication will be by email, but shortly before the tour we will set up a WhatsApp group. During the tour we will use WhatsApp to communicate details like café stops, meal arrangements, places of interest and any emergencies on route. Ideally everyone will bring a smart phone and be happy to be included in the group.
We will stay in a variety of standards of hotels (typically 3*).
All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Prices are based on two people sharing a room. When booking with a partner to share please specify twin or double beds. There are no single occupancy rooms available.
Meals - Breakfast each day is included and in addition dinner is included on five evenings. We will pay for our own lunches, café stops and beverages. Often there will be options for procuring lunch, but please carry sufficient food and water to last you all day if necessary. Most places are happy to accept credit cards but please carry some cash just in case.
Health - do remember to pack any medications that you need.
Diet - Please advise the tour organiser of any dietary requests in your Booking application, and can you also remind the tour organiser of any dietary requests and health issues at the start of the tour.
TYPE OF BIKE
A touring cycle, gravel bike, hybrid, tandem, recumbent or lightweight road bike would all be suitable for most of this holiday. However, a gravel bike (or touring bike) would cope better if we come to any unpaved or rough sections.
MAINTENANCE
You should ensure your cycle is well maintained, paying particular attention to wheels, tyres and brakes. A low bottom gear (eg. small chainring the same size or smaller than the largest cog on your rear wheel) is recommended. Mudguards are optional but demonstrate respect to those who are following you in wet weather. Lights are recommended in the very unlikely event of arriving back late and useful if walking outdoors at night. A bell is advised and bring a bike lock for security. Water bottles are required to ensure you are hydrated at all times. You must carry sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs, including two inner tubes, spare gear and brake cable, split link and spare brake pads. There are almost no bike shops on route and they are never when you need them. You are advised to use 28mm tyres, or larger, to suit the variable terrain.
The luggage weight for transfers is limited to 10kg per person, which is usually sufficient for any holiday, washing spare clothes each night.
Please bring a bike lock suitable to your attitude towards the risk of theft.
This is a cycling holiday for 15 days, typically with a moving on day followed by a day trip (which could be a rest day). There is a planned rest day in Cork.
Most of the cycling is on minor roads, but we also use cycle paths and there are some sections on main roads. People tend to cycle in small groups, and meet up with the rest of the group at view points and cafes. The tour should be manageable for someone who cycles regularly and has reasonable fitness. There are some longer days and some days with a lot of ascent, as well as shorter and easier days. Please train for the tour and ride some hilly 80km day trips in preparation.
People may want to stop for photographs, look at the view or explore some local attraction and this is encouraged. You are on holiday. If you wish to go further from the group and do your own thing then please do advise the tour organiser.
The weather in Ireland can be very variable so please carry waterproof clothing and sun screen. You might end up using them on the same day.
The average maximum temperature in Cork during July is 19 degrees C, while the average rainfall for the whole month is 60mm. In comparison figures for London are 22 degrees and 59mm.
Do bring thin layers, so you can adjust as necessary. Diane and I like open water swimming, and there will be some opportunities to swim or just paddle if you would like to join us. Please only do what you are safe and comfortable with. A swimming costume, goggles and microlight towel would not add much weight to carry.
Please carry waterproof clothing and sun screen.
Helmets are optional, but are recommended.
The tour organiser will email a link to Plotaroute with all of the planned rides for the tour. These can be downloaded to your Garmin, or other cycle computer , or phone. If you do not use such technology please do bring the relevant pages from a road atlas and highlight the planned routes. Maybe bring the road atlas pages as well as a Garmin.
There are lots of maps available but I like to use Road Atlases.
There are lots of guide books available. I have the Cicerone Cycle touring in Ireland and an old Collins Cycling in the South West of Ireland (no longer on print so I got mine second-hand), and Around Ireland on a Bike by Benjaminse.
Holiday costs have risen so we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you have to cancel for any reason.
You should be up to date with vaccinations and boosters as recommended for the UK. There are no additional medical recommendations, but please do bring any medications that you need to use. Please also make the tour organiser aware of any health issues.
British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland, but Ferries and airlines may ask for ID. You do not need a visa either.
Ferry Fares are not included in the tour price because people tend to arrive at different times. There is only one ferry journey during the tour (on the route to Cork).
Tour Organiser - Martin Jamieson
I have organized tours for over 12 years, usually planning the route, booking the hotels, and organising luggage transfer myself.
I like to cycle for the social company, scenery and food. I have enjoyed organising a series of tours where most people come back year after year, and it creates a club-like atmosphere. Originally I ran one tour a year but I am now retired and enjoy being able to organise more tours each year. Any queries please contact me at mdjamieson@hotmail.co.uk